Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.
Matthew 28:9 NIV
A fresh encounter with Christ begins with a deep longing to know Him personally. This desire reflects a heart that seeks more than knowledge. Instead, it reaches for revelation and true fellowship. Matthew 28 provides a powerful example through the women who went to the tomb. Their actions reveal how genuine desire leads to divine encounters.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary approached the tomb with devotion and purpose. They intended to care for Jesus’ body, even though uncertainty surrounded them. However, they did not wait for perfect conditions or assistance. Instead, they moved forward in faith despite their questions. Their willingness to act shows that a fresh encounter with Christ often begins with simple obedience.
When they arrived, an angel met them with a clear and powerful message. He acknowledged their desire by saying they were looking for Jesus. Moreover, he declared that Jesus had risen, just as He said. Although he told them that Jesus was not there, he gave them a promise. They would see Him in Galilee. This moment reveals that God recognises sincere desire, even when the fulfilment seems delayed.
As the women left the tomb, they carried both fear and great joy. They obeyed the instruction and ran to tell the disciples. Meanwhile, something unexpected happened along the way. Before they reached Galilee, Jesus met them personally. He greeted them, and they responded by worshipping Him. This encounter shows that a fresh encounter with Christ can happen before expected timing when hearts remain obedient.
Jesus then reaffirmed the instruction to go and tell His disciples. Although the women had already seen Him, the assignment remained important. Their experience did not remove their responsibility. Instead, it deepened their understanding and strengthened their purpose. Likewise, encountering Christ does not end the journey. It often leads to greater obedience and clarity.
This passage also stirs a personal reflection. The desire to see Jesus must remain central. Just as the women longed for Him, that same longing should shape daily pursuit. A fresh encounter with Christ involves knowing Him clearly and recognising Him truly. It calls for a deeper revelation that goes beyond assumptions or confusion.
Furthermore, the women’s experience shows how desire can grow stronger through revelation. They first came expecting to find a lifeless body. However, when they heard that He had risen, their desire intensified. Joy filled their hearts, and expectation increased. In the same way, a growing awareness of Christ fuels a deeper hunger to know Him more.
Living It Out
Ask God daily for a fresh encounter with Christ and pursue Him with sincerity. Move forward in obedience, even when unsure. Trust that He sees your desire and will reveal Himself in His time.